Public input is sought for city’s spending

San Antonio is preparing to spend more than $1 billion through both a five-year bond cycle and a federal relief budget.

The plans will affect everything from neighborhood sidewalks and greenway trails to utility assistance programs and COVID-19 response.

Before officials finalize any spending plans, they want to hear from residents. There are several ways the public can give feedback in two areas: the 2022 bond program and the federal COVID-19 recovery funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Some meeting dates have already passed, but many still remain through the end of the year.

Bond committee

The city is preparing to spend $1.2 billion in its upcoming 2022 bond program, which San Antonio plans every five years to fund infrastructure and development. There are five proposed funding categories: streets, bridges and sidewalks; drainage and flood control; parks, recreation and open spaces; facilities; and housing.

Residents can give feedback on project proposals through five bond committees, made up of 32 members: three appointed per council member and two appointed by the mayor, who cochair the committee.

City Council members have been split so far on how much San Antonio should spend on trail expansions. Some see the greenways as a commitment to fund now, while other council members want to see more investment in streets and drainage this bond cycle.

The most recent proposed funding breakdown is:

$480 million for streets, sidewalks and bridges

$274.3 million for parks, recreation and open spaces, including $110 million for the greenway trails

• $161.5 for drainage

and flood control

$150 million for housing, the first time the bond will fund affordable housing directly

$134 million for facilities, including municipal and public safety buildings.

Residents can let City Council know their preferences at the upcoming public committee meetings. Recommendations will come back to City Council in January for review.

All meetings will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Henry B. González Convention Center, 900 E. Market St. Parking is free, and interpretation will be available in Spanish and American Sign Language. The city will also livestream committee meetings at www.youtube.com/cosagov.

The public also can visit www.sanantonio.gov/2022bond for more information about the 2022 bond program and current funding proposals.

Streets, bridges and sidewalks:

Monday, Nov. 29

Monday, Dec. 13

Drainage and flood management:

Wednesday, Dec. 1 Wednesday, Dec. 15

Parks, recreation and open spaces:

Tuesday

Tuesday, Dec. 7

Tuesday, Dec. 14

Facilities:

Thursday

Thursday, Dec. 9

Thursday, Dec. 16

Housing:

Wednesday

Wednesday, Dec. 8

COVID-19 funds

San Antonio has nearly $230 million remaining in federal COVID-19 recovery funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden in March.

So far, the city proposed spending its relief money on community needs — like utility assistance and the arts — and what officials see as important investments in areas such as mental health, homelessness and economic development.

The only specifics proposed to date are a suggested $50 million toward the COVID-19 response and $30 million for utility assistance.

Next, the city wants to hear from residents about the federal money before it finalizes any spending plans.

“The City has presented a spending framework for the use of these one-time federal funds to continue responding to the pandemic, address immediate community needs and make impactful investments,” City Manager Erik Walsh said in a statement. “I’d like to invite all of our residents to join us at one of eight community-wide town hall meetings to share their feedback. We are looking forward to seeing you and engaging with you on this important matter.”

Residents can watch a livestream of the city’s ARPA meetings at www.sanantonio.gov/tvsa or on the city’s Facebook page. They can also watch on television channels AT&T 99, Grande 20, Spectrum 21 and digital antenna 16.1.

The public can listen to the meetings live by dialing 210-2075555 and selecting option one for English or option two for Spanish.

Like the bond committee meetings, the ARPA meetings will be available in Spanish and American Sign Language as well as English.

Learn more about town hall meetings for ARPA online at www.saspeakup.com.

Meetings:

Monday: 7 p.m. at Ella Austin Auditorium, 1023 N Pine St.

Wednesday: 7 p.m. at St. Paul Community Center, 1201 Donaldson Ave.

Saturday: 10 a.m. at Mission Branch Library, 3134 Roosevelt Ave.

“The City has presented a spending framework for the use of these one-time federal funds to continue responding to the pandemic, address immediate community needs and make impactful investments.” City Manager Erik Walsh